Heating assembly and vaping device comprising the same

ABSTRACT

A heating assembly includes a heating element and a base. The base includes a bottom wall and a side wall; a space is surrounded by the bottom wall and the side wall. The heating element is distributed on the bottom wall and configured to heat air in the space; and the bottom wall includes at least one air outlet through which the air flows out of the space.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119 and the Paris Convention Treaty, thisapplication claims foreign priority to Chinese Patent Application No.202111282506.2 filed Nov. 1, 2021, and to Chinese Patent Application No.202122645578.0 filed Nov. 1, 2021. The contents of all of theaforementioned applications, including any intervening amendmentsthereto, are incorporated herein by reference. Inquiries from the publicto applicants or assignees concerning this document or the relatedapplications should be directed to: Matthias Scholl P.C., Attn.: Dr.Matthias Scholl Esq., 245 First Street, 18th Floor, Cambridge, Mass.02142.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to a heating assembly and a vaping devicecomprising the same.

Conventionally, a heating assembly is disposed in the tobacco material.When the heating assembly is energized, the tobacco material is unevenlyheated, which may affect the taste of the tobacco smoke.

SUMMARY

To solve the aforesaid problems, the first objective of the disclosureis to provide a heating assembly for heating tobacco material.

The second objective of the disclosure is to provide a vaping devicecomprising the heating assembly.

The following advantages are associated with the heating assembly andthe vaping device of the disclosure: the heating assembly allows the hotair to pass through the tobacco material and enables uniform heattransfer. Heating components are evenly disposed on a bottom wall of abase to give the maximum heating area which allows the heat to beconducted rapidly through the bottom wall of the base. Then the heat istransferred rapidly to the tobacco material to maintain the taste of thetobacco smoke.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vaping device according to oneexample of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a heating assembly according to oneexample of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a heating assembly according to oneexample of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a heating assembly according to oneexample of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a heating assembly according toone example of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a base assembled with a heating elementaccording to one example of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a base according to one example of thedisclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view including arrows showing the directionof air flow in a heating element according to one example of thedisclosure.

In the drawings, the following reference numbers are used: 1. Tobaccochamber; 2. Heating assembly; 3. Control assembly; 24. Cover; 25.Heating element; 26. Base; 260. Partition; 2401. Air inlet; 2604. Airoutlet; 2601. Separate space; 2603. Side wall; 2605. Space; 2606.Opening; 2607. Main partition; 2609. Bottom wall; 2610. Flange; 2611.Protruding part; 2607 a. First main partition; 2607 b. Second mainpartition; 2607 c. Third main partition; 2608 a. First auxiliarypartition; and 2608 a. Second auxiliary partition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To further illustrate the disclosure, embodiments detailing a heatingassembly and a vaping device are described below. It should be notedthat the following embodiments are intended to describe and not to limitthe disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a vaping device comprises a tobacco chamber 1 forholding tobacco material, a heating assembly 2 for heating the tobaccomaterial, and a control assembly 3 for regulating the operation of theheating assembly 2. The control assembly 3 is disposed on the heatingassembly 2, and the heating assembly 2 is disposed on the tobaccochamber 1. The control assembly comprises a circuit control board, andoptionally further comprises a battery.

As shown in FIGS. 2-6 , the heating assembly 2 comprises a heatingelement 25 and a base 26. The base 26 comprises a bottom wall 2609 and aside wall 2603. A space 2605 is surrounded by the bottom wall 2609 andthe side wall 2603. The heating element 25 is distributed on the bottomwall 2609 and configured to heat air in the space 2605. The bottom wall2609 comprises at least one air outlet 2604 through which the heat flowsout of the space 2605. The tobacco chamber 1 comprises an open topthrough which the tobacco material is inserted into the tobacco chamber1. The bottom wall 2609 is disposed on the tobacco chamber 1 to coverthe open top. The focused stream of hot air in the space 2605 flows downthrough the at least one air outlet 2604 into the tobacco chamber 1,thus warming up evenly throughout the tobacco material. The heatingelement 25 is distributed on the bottom wall 2609 so as to quicklytransfer heat to the bottom wall 2609 and raise the temperature in thetobacco material, thus maintaining the taste of the tobacco smoke. Theheating element 25 comprises conductive materials including but notlimited to, conductive metals, graphene, and carbon nanomaterials. Theheating element is energized to produce the heat; optionally, anelectromagnetic field is produced in a coil and causes heat generationin the heating element 25.

In certain examples, the bottom wall 2609 comprises a plurality ofpartitions 260 dividing the space 2605 into a plurality of separatespaces 2601. The heating element 25 is disposed in the plurality ofseparate spaces 2601. The plurality of partitions 260 is erected on thebottom wall 2609 using any desired method, such as integral formation orassembly. The plurality of partitions 260 is configured to preventchanges in the position of the heating element 25, thus preventing shortcircuit. The plurality of partitions 260 is configured to reduce heatloss in the plurality of separate spaces 2601.

In certain examples, the plurality of separate spaces 2601 communicateswith one another to form a passage; two ends of the heating element 25extend in the passage so that the heating element stretches in eachseparate space. In certain examples, the vaping device comprises onlyone heating element 25 provided with two pins; the heating element 25extends along the passage to have a maximum length, and is soldered tothe two pins for electricity conducting. The maximum length of theheating element 25 causes a rise in voltage and maximizes the amount ofheat produced. In certain examples, the plurality of separate spaces2601 need not communicate with one another; a plurality of heatingelements 25 is inserted through plurality of partitions 260 and disposedon the bottom wall 2609; the plurality of partitions 260 is formedintegrally with or connected to one another.

In certain examples, as shown in FIG. 6 , the plurality of partitions260 comprises a plurality of main partitions 2607 with different sizes.The separate space 2601 is formed between every two adjacent mainpartitions 2607. Each of the plurality of main partitions 2607 is in theshape of a ring with an opening 2606. A smaller main partition 2607 isdisposed in an adjacent larger main partition, and the openings of thesmaller main partition 2607 and the adjacent larger main partition 2607are disposed in two opposite directions. Understandably, the pluralityof main partitions 2607 can be any shape or form including a circularshape, an elliptical shape, and a polygonal shape (for examples, arectangular shape, a triangular shape, and a diamond shape). Referringto FIG. 2 , in certain examples, the plurality of main partitions 2607comprises a first main partition 2607 a, a second main partition 2607 b,and a third main partition 2607 c, which are disposed in turn outwardfrom the same center point; the first main partition 2607 a comprises afirst opening; the second main partition 2607 b comprises a secondopening; and the third main partition 2607 c comprises a third opening;the first main partition 2607 is surrounded by the second main partition2607 b, and the first opening and the second opening are disposed in twoopposite directions; the second main partition 2607 b is surrounded bythe third main partition 2607 c, and the second opening and the thirdopening are disposed in two opposite directions; the first opening andthe third opening are disposed in the same direction. In certainexamples, each of the plurality of main partitions 2607 is in the formof a sheet with a flat surface (as shown in FIG. 7 ), and need notcomprises any opening 2606. In certain examples, the plurality of mainpartitions 2607 is spirally disposed on the bottom wall 2609 and neednot comprise any opening 2606; and the heating element 25 is matchedwith the plurality of separate spaces 2601 in shape and size to ensurethat it can be disposed therein.

In certain examples, each of the plurality of partitions 260 furthercomprises a joint and an auxiliary partition 2608; the joint is disposedopposite to the opening; and the auxiliary partition extends from thejoint through the opening of adjacent larger main partition. In certainexamples, the plurality of main partitions 2607 comprises a first mainpartition 2607 a, a second main partition 2607 b, and a third mainpartition 2607 c, which are disposed in turn outward from the samecenter point; the first main partition 2607 a comprises a first openingand a first joint disposed opposite to the first opening; the secondmain partition 2607 b comprises a second opening and a second jointdisposed opposite to the second opening; and the third main partition2607 c comprises a third opening and a third joint disposed opposite tothe third opening; the first main partition 2607 is surrounded by thesecond main partition 2607 b, and the first opening and the secondopening are disposed in two opposite directions; the second mainpartition 2607 b is surrounded by the third main partition 2607 c, andthe second opening and the third opening are disposed in two oppositedirections; the first auxiliary partition 2608 a extends from the firstjoint to the third joint through the second opening; the secondauxiliary partition 2608 b extends from the second joint to the sidewall 2603 through the second opening. The plurality of auxiliarypartitions 2608 is configured to prevent short circuit caused by theheating element 25.

In certain examples, the base 26 comprises a plurality of air outlets2604 evenly distributed on the bottom wall 2609; preferably, theplurality of air outlets 2604 is evenly distributed, thus allowing thehot air to pass through the tobacco material and enabling uniform heattransfer.

In certain examples, the base 26 further comprises at least oneprotruding part 2611 disposed on the outer surface of the bottom wall2609; and a gap is formed between the at least one protruding part 2611and the tobacco material. Since the tobacco material may burn and stickto the surface of the heating element 25, the gap reduces contactbetween the tobacco material and the heating element 25, which leads toan increased service life of the heating element 25.

In certain examples, the side wall 2603 comprises a distal end away fromthe bottom wall 2609; the distal end extends radially to form a flange2610; the flange 2610 is disposed on the open top of the tobacco chamberto prevent the base 26 from moving.

In certain examples, the heating assembly further comprises a cover 24disposed on the distal end of the side wall 2603 to cover the space2605. The cover 24 comprises at least one air inlet 2401 through whichthe air is conducted into the space 2605. The projection of the at leastone air inlet 2401 does not overlap with the at least one air outlet2604. The at least one air inlet 2401 communicates with the at least oneair outlet 2604 through the space 2605. The number of the at least oneair inlet 2401 is determined by demand. Since the projection of the atleast one air inlet 2401 does not overlap with the at least one airoutlet 2604, a vortex is formed as a result of the heat flow, whichallows the hot air to flow along the space 2605, reduces heat loss, andimproves heat utilization. Optionally, the cover 25 is disposed on theflange 2610.

In certain examples, the cover 24 is made of a thermal insulatingmaterial including not limited to mica, agate, jade, and crystal.Preferably, the thermal insulating material is made of mica which helpsto minimize heat loss. The base 26 and the plurality of partitions 260are separately made of a thermally-conductive electrically-insulatingmaterial including but not limited to, ceramic, glass, and quartz.Preferably, the base 26 and the plurality of partitions 260 areseparately made of ceramic.

In certain examples, the heating element 25 comprises a heating wireand/or a heating tube in a spiral shape that maximizes the heating area.Preferably, the heating wire is in the shape of a spiral which gives themaximum length, offering advantages such as low electrical resistivity,high heat generation, and low power consumption. The heat is transferredrapidly to the tobacco material to make an improvement on the tobaccosmoke.

In certain examples, the tobacco chamber 1 comprises the open top; theheating assembly 2 is disposed on the open top; the bottom wall 2609covers the open top, and the at least one air outlet is oriented towardthe tobacco material; almost all the heat flows to the tobacco materialto achieve a good heating efficiency.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view including arrows showing the directionof the heat flow in the vaping device of the disclosure. The heatingelement 25 is energized to produce the heat, and allows the heat to beconducted through the plurality of separate spaces 2601. External airflows through the at least one air inlet 2401 into the plurality ofseparate spaces 2601, and forces the heat through the at least one airoutlet 2604 to heat the tobacco material.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes andmodifications may be made, and therefore, the aim in the appended claimsis to cover all such changes and modifications.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A heating assembly, comprising a heatingelement and a base; wherein the base comprises a bottom wall and a sidewall; a space is surrounded by the bottom wall and the side wall; theheating element is distributed on the bottom wall and configured to heatair in the space; and the bottom wall comprises at least one air outletthrough which the air flows out of the space.
 2. The heating assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the bottom wall comprises a plurality of partitionsdividing the space into a plurality of separate spaces; and the heatingelement is disposed in the plurality of separate spaces.
 3. The heatingassembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of separate spacescommunicates with one another to form a passage; and two ends of theheating element extend in the passage so that the heating elementstretches in each separate space.
 4. The heating assembly of claim 2,wherein the plurality of partitions comprises a plurality of mainpartitions with different sizes; the separate spaces are formed betweenevery two adjacent main partitions; each of the plurality of mainpartitions is in the shape of a ring with an opening; a smaller mainpartition is disposed in an adjacent larger main partition, and theopening of the smaller main partition and the opening of the adjacentlarger main partition are disposed in two opposite directions.
 5. Theheating assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of partitionsfurther comprises a joint and an auxiliary partition; the joint isdisposed opposite to the opening; and the auxiliary partition extendsfrom the joint through the opening of adjacent larger main partition. 6.The heating assembly of claim 2, wherein the base comprises a pluralityof air outlets evenly distributed on the bottom wall; the base furthercomprises at least one protruding part disposed on an outer surface ofthe bottom wall; the side wall comprises a distal end away from thebottom wall; and the distal end extends radially to form a flange. 7.The heating assembly of claim 6, wherein the heating assembly furthercomprises a cover disposed on the distal end of the side wall to coverthe space; the cover comprises at least one air inlet through which theair is conducted into the space; the projection of the at least one airinlet does not overlap with the at least one air outlet; and the atleast one air inlet communicates with the at least one air outletthrough the space.
 8. The heating assembly of claim 7, wherein the covercomprises a thermal insulating material; and the base and the pluralityof partitions comprise a thermally-conductive electrically-insulatingmaterial.
 9. The heating assembly of claim 1, wherein the heatingelement comprises a heating wire and/or a heating tube in a spiralshape.
 10. A vaping device, comprising the heating assembly of claim 1and a tobacco chamber, wherein the tobacco chamber comprises an opentop; the heating assembly is disposed on the open top; the bottom wallcovers the open top, and the at least one air outlet is oriented towarda tobacco material.